Milan begin countdown on Dzeko deal

AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani says the San Siro side will scupper plans to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko if a deal is not done in the next 48 hours.

Published

29 June 2009

The Bosnian front-man's 26 league goals in 2008/09 - alongside strike-partner Grafite's 28 - helped fire the Wolves to their first ever German league crown under Felix Magath.

And his devastating form in front of goal had alerted a string of Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, before Milan were reported to have signed a pre-agreement with the striker, giving the Italians first option on the in-form front-man.

However, after the 23-year-old held talks with Wolfsburg officials over the weekend, it was made clear that the Bundesliga champions had no intention to sell their prize asset, despite Dzeko declaring his desire to move on.

And Milan vice-president Galliani has revealed that the Italian outfit are close to ending their interest in the front-man, with Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano next on the club's hit-list.

"The attacker has spoken very clearly. He wants to come to Milan and Wolfsburg know this very well also through an official letter saying that we are interested in acquiring him," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Edin has a contract until 2011 and it's up to Wolfsburg to decide whether to sell him or not. They continue to say that they won't do it, but I will wait before going down alternative routes.

"I will wait another 48 hours. Only from Thursday will I eventually take into consideration other hypotheses."